The long awaited Smart Aerial (ADC-242) from Advanced Diagnostics is now available, and it is opening new doors for those who wish to do VW and/or Fiat work. This tool, in conjunction with the T-Code Pro or MVP Pro and the “Smart Dongle” (ADC-240) greatly simplifies the process of making keys for VW, including the Beetles made from 2006 – 2010. (Future enhancements are planned for other VW and Audi vehicles.) The Smart Aerial will also allow you to pre-code transponder keys for many of the Fiat vehicles including the Fiat 500, 500L, & 500X, Jeep Renegade, Dodge Promaster, and Dodge Promaster City.
The Smart Aerial plugs directly into, and interfaces with, the Smart Dongle. Once installed, and with the proper software, the Smart Aerial can work seamlessly with the T-Code Pro or MVP Pro. The T-Code or MVP pulls information from the vehicle computer and then the Smart Aerial pre-codes a transponder or transponder key for use on that vehicle. This gives the locksmith the ability to produce a key that is identical to an OEM key in moments. Before the advent of the Smart Aerial, you either had to order an OEM key by the VIN or use a secondary transponder tool and complicated software to produce a compatible transponder or transponder key.
The second new tool from Advanced Diagnostics is the Force Ignition Tool (ADC-222) for VW Beetles made from 2006 – 2010. This tool can be used with or without the Smart Aerial to electronically force the ignition on so that a key can be generated. But, when used together, the Smart Aerial and the Force Ignition Tool make the job of generating a key for one of these VW Beetles easier than ever before.
Using Both Tools Together
After you have generated a working mechanical key for a Beetle made from 2006 – 2010, you are ready to connect the diagnostic equipment. The Force Ignition tool is attached to the end of the OBD cable that is normally plugged into the OBD port on the car. Then, the Force ignition tool is plugged into the OBD port. Once the Smart Aerial is plugged into the Smart Dongle, you’re ready to go.
The first step is to pull the PIN code from the vehicle computer. If you cannot pull the PIN, you are essentially dead in the water. The PIN is not available from the dealer and it is not available through NASTAF. When the machine prompts you to turn on the ignition, flip the switch on the Force Ignition tool and the tool will activate the ignition without having to turn the key in the ignition. This helps to eliminate Module/Dash lock-outs and other potential problems.
Once you are armed with the PIN code, you are ready to pull the encrypted transponder data from the vehicle computer. Beginning in 2006 VW incorporated an encrypted copy of the VIN into the transponder data. That means that before you can program it, a new key must already have the VIN data burned into it. In many cases, all of this data can be pulled from the vehicle computer with the T-Code Pro with the proper software or the MVP Pro. When the data is pulled from the computer, it will be displayed on the screen. The Smart Aerial can import this data directly from the diagnostic tool, but it’s always a good idea to write down this information just in case. The transponder or transponder key is now inserted into the opening in the Smart Aerial, and the data can be burned onto the key. Once this is done, you have a key that you can begin programming into the car.
If the last two characters of the data that is pulled from the car are XX, then you will have one more procedure to do before you can actually program the key. The XX indicates that the last Byte of the data that’s needed is missing. You will have to determine the value of that last byte before you can proceed, and there are 256 different possibilities. That might sound like huge task, and it used to be, before the Smart Aerial. But with the Smart Aerial, this task can be automated, and in a worst case situation will not take over an hour.
To begin the process you insert the transponder key into the ignition, through the opening in the Smart Aerial. With the Smart Aerial in place, choose the correct option from the menu and the Smart Aerial will begin trying each possibility. Since the Force Ignition tool is bypassing the process of turning the lock with each attempt, you should not have any issues with the dash locking you out because of too many invalid starting attempts. When the correct value is found, the machine records that data and then prompts you to burn the data onto the new transponder. Once that has been done, programming the key should be simple.
Nothing is ever perfect, especially when working on VWs, so these procedures are not guaranteed to work 100 percent of the time. But there are many things that you can do to improve the odds, and the instructions for the tools walk you through those steps in detail. Perhaps the biggest single problem is if an aftermarket radio has been installed in the vehicle. The radio in all transponder-equipped Volkswagens is linked to the anti-theft system. If the radio has been replaced, you can expect to have problems, so that is the very first thing you should check when you get to the vehicle.
Smart Aerial for Fiat Vehicles
The procedure for using the Smart Aerial on Fiat and Chrysler vehicles that use the Fiat system is very similar to the VW procedure. Basically, the diagnostic tool is used to pull the 5-digit PIN code from the vehicle. When the PIN code is displayed on the screen, make sure to write it down. On the same screen as the PIN code, there will the transponder information listed as the ISO code. The Smart Aerial is then used to burn the ISO code onto the new key, making it essentially the same as a dealer key that was ordered by VIN. At that point, all that remains is to program the key.
If you have a T-Code Pro or an MVP Pro, and want to program VW or Fiat vehicles, you really need to look into the Smart Aerial and the Force Ignition Tool. Both tools together will cost you slightly less than $500 at this time.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or visit http://www.adusa.us/.
